Apparatus for making mattresses, cushions, and the like



Allg. 14, F. Q AHODGES, JR 2,382,226

APPARATUS FOR MAKING MATTRESSES, CUSHIONS, AND THE LIKE v Filed Dec. 31, 19.42

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 All g- 1411945 G. HoDGl-:SJR 'l 2,382,226

APPARATUS FOR MAKING MATTRESSES, CUSHIONS, AND THE LIKE- Filed Dec. 31,` 1942 5 sheets-sheet 2 Aug. 14,v 1945. h F. G. HQDGESJR APPARATUS FOR MAKING MATTRESSES, CUSHIONS, AND THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 l ZwedeZc/ Gf Uf? Aug., 14, i945. F. G. HOIDGES, JR 2,382,226

APPARATUS FOR MAKING MATTRESSES, CUSHIONS, AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 3l, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug. '14, 1945. v F. G. HoDGEs, JR

APPARATUS FOR MAKING 'MATTRESSES, CUSHIONS, AND THE LIKE.

.Filed Dc. 3l, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. @feria/ 67.

Patented Aug. 14, 1945 APPARATUS Fon MAKJNG MATTREssEs, cUsHloNs, AND THE LIKE j Frederick G. Hodges,` Jr., Washington, D. C. application December 31, 1942, seriaiNo. 470,892

V23 claims. f c1.45138 invention `relates to apparatus for making mattresses, cushions and like spring-filled articles. The invention has particular reference to the making of the spring units for such structures.

It is an object ofthe invention ,to provideimproved apparatus for `making spring units `for mattresses, cushions, and like spring-lled articles; and more speciiical'ly, to provide apparatus wherein aminimum of hand and assembly operations'are required.

A `further object of the invention is to provide for the making `of spring units lof the type ,defined inj a VcontinuousV manner, the structures beinggsuitably fabricated` so as to be readily separable into individual units of proper size.

A still furtherjobject of the invention isfto provide forthe manufacture of spring units of the type defined wherein' simultaneously with the assembly of the springs sheet-like elements, pref:

erably of non-metallic fabric or fibrous material,

4,such as sisal or Athe like, are applied tothe springs `to form the unit structures.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved and more economical meansfor securing `the springszto the sheet-likeelements such, for example, as sisalor lthe like. In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention commonmeans is used for assembling the springs and securing the sisal pads in position, whereby vto enable the eliminationof other connecting means for the` springs, minimizing 'the assembly opera-` tions required and reducingthe over-all weight I of the assembled structure. I

Various other objects, advantagesand features of the'invention `will appear'from the following specication when taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred emb'odimenty ofthe invention is set forth for purposes of illustration In thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to likepartsthro'ughout:

Fig. 1 is a general assembly view,'in perspective, of a machine constructed in accordance withand adapted to carry out the principles of the invention, certain ofthe parts being lbroken away to betterillustrate the operation of the mechanisms; Fig. Z is aside viewof the machine looking from the left as seen inFig. l y

Fig. 3 is a detail view illustrating a portion of the mechanism `for feeding the springs through the machine, and taken substantially as indicated `on the line Y3---3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through the machine; taken substantially as indicated on. the

station;

une 4-"4 of Fig. 1, and indicating me of the several'duplicate spring assembling units of which the machine is composed;

Eig. -5 is a detail view of one of the loading platforms for receiving the springs from the supply hoppers or troughs, and taken as vindicated on the line 5--5 of Fig. 41;

Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 are detail illustrative views, showing the severalsteps in theoperation of the mechanisms at `the spring and sisal assembly Figs. 10, 11A and 12 aredetail illustrativeviews on an enlarged scale showing the initial steps Vin the operation of the spring positioning and shuttle mechanisms;

, Fig. 13 is a sectional View through the shuttle structure, takenas indicated on the line l3-I3 of ,lig` 12, and more particularly illustrating the operation of the stapling mechanism; and

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of `a portion ofthe completed spring unit as fabricated by theman chine.

This application is a continuation-in-part of mycopending application, Serial No. 396,106,filed May 31, 1941, `and entitled Method and `apparatus for making mattresses.

General 'machine structure and drive mechanism vReferring more particularly to the drawings, and first to the general assembly view, Fig. 1, it

v will be seen that the machine comprises a main frame structure having side walls or frames l0 and Il between which the various spring assembling units orstructures are arranged. In the particular embodiment illustrated there are ten duplicate assembling units each of which, as will f `be later more particularly described, is operative to rassemble and secure in position a longitudinally extending line or a series of springs,`thus producing a composite spring unit structure having a width or length, as the case may be, often installation. In accordance with the principles of the invention the parallel lines or series :of`

parallel `spring lines. `It is to be understood,`

however, `that the number of parallelmechanisms thus provided is dependent solely upon the overall lengthv orwidth of the composite structure desired,` and may be enlarged or `decreased depending upon the requirements of any particular springs are connected together for a predetermined number, seven in Vthe particular' embodiment illustrated, a spacing being thereafter effected and the operation repeated. Accordingly,

` when the" structure continuously formed by the machine is severed into units, individual completed units of seventy springs each will be formed. As stated, however, these figures are merely illustrative of one selected embodiment shown and may be varied both .as to width and length, as required.

The side wall I carries a pair of upper brackets I2 and I3, and a pair of lower brackets |14 and I5, Fig. 2, within which upstanding rods I6 and I1 are vertically shiftable. The rods .are connectedat their upper ends by a cross head I8, and at a point intermediate their length by a cross head I9. Both of the cross heads I8 and I 9 are permanently securedto the rods and move as a unit therewith. A similar structure is provided on the opposite side of the machine, in association with the side frame II, the reciprocating rods corresponding to the rods I6 and I1 being indicated at Ita and I1a in Figs. 1 and 4, and the corresponding cross head at Ia.

A shaft 2l, Figs. 1 and 2, is journaled in the side frames I0 and I I, said shaft having fixed thereto at opposite ends relatively large gears, one of which is indicated at 22 in Figs. 1 and 2. The gear 22 is pivotally connected-to the lower end of a connecting rod 23 which rod is pivotally connected at its upper end to the cross head I9. It will be seen that the gear 22 acts in the nature of a crank, so that upon rotation thereof the associated connecting rod 23 operates to impart reciprocation to the cross head I9 and its connected rods IE and I1. It will be understood that a connecting rod similar to the rod 23 is provided for the gear at the opposite side of the machine, a duplicate of the gear 22, whereby rotation of such gear serves to reciprocate the associated upright/S or rods ISa and I1a.

The gears on shaft 2I are driven, respectively, from pinions Xed to the opposite ends of a drive shaft 25 extending across the machine, the shafts 2| and 25 thus being geared together at both of their ends to insure an equalized torque driving arrangement. The pinion engageable with the gear 22 is shown at 23 in Fig. 2. The shaft 25 is propelled by a pulley wheel`21, Fig. 1, secured thereto, driven from a belt 28 vconnected to an electric motor, line shaft or other suitable prime mover.

It Will be seen that by the connections thus provided, when the machine is in operation, the

rods I6 and I1, and the corresponding rods Ia i and I1a atthe opposite side of the machine, will be continuously vertically reciprocated.

Y Spring-feeding'-mechanism The springs which are to be assembled into the mattress or cushion units are fed to the machine from a series of supply hoppers or troughs 3U, Figs. l, 2 and 4, there being a separate trough for each of the ten parallel assembling units provided. The springs may be fed into the upper ends of these troughs in any desired manner, yand the troughs are of such size with respect to the springs as to compel the springs to move therethrough in an vorderly and alined manner.

The springs, as indicated at 3I in Fig. 4, are of the usual conical coiled type conventionally provided in mattress and cushion'structures. The springs are propelled through the troughs by gravity, automatically moving therethrough .as the spring at the lower end of the trou-gh is ref moved by means presently to be describedi At the lower end of each of the supply troughs a loading platform comprising a pair of plates 32 and 33 is provided, Figs. 1, 4 and'5, These plates are carried on a pair of shafts or rods 34 and 35 extending loosely through the plates and across the machine to be journaled at their ends in the side frame structures I0 and II. For positioning each pair kof plates, shafts 34 and 35 are provided along their lengths with sets of collars 36, Fig. 5, suitably secured to and positioned upon the shafts by means of set screws or the like. These collars through the action of compression springs 31 and associated collars 38 loosely mounted on theshafts normally operate to shift the plates relatively together, the movement being limited by collars 39 fixed to the shafts as in the case of the collars 36. When the parts are in theirnormal position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 5,'vthe spacing and positioning of the plates 32 and 33 is such that they form a trough within which the conical spring received from the supply hopper 3B is adapted to lie with its axis horizontally disposed. lAt the same time the plates are yieldably mounted so as to permit the spring to be pulled downwardly between the plates, the plates under these conditions being shifted to their dotted line position, as shown in Fig. 5, against the action of the compression springs 31. It will be understood that the springs are caused to be properly received from the hoppers, and to lie between the plates in engagement with the plate carried positioning lugs 40, .by the pressure of the following springs in the hoppers. To effect the downward feeding of the springs supported between the plates 32 and 33, a pair of feeding chains 4I and 42, Figs. 2 and 4, are 'provided for each of the parallel mechanisms. These chains are driven by sprockets 43 and 44 fixed at intervals along the lengths of the shafts 34 and 35, and adapted to be driven thereby. To effect the driving of the shafts in timed relation with the other operating mechanisms of the machine, means is provided for periodically driving the shafts upon the upward movement of the cross heads I8 and I8a. More specifically, the cross heads I8 and I8a are connected by a cross bar 45 supporting a rack member 46. This rack member 45, Figs. 1 and 3, is in geared engagement with a gear 41 loosely mounted on the shaft 34,

which gear carries a spring pressed pawl 48. This pawl cooperates with a ratchet-49 keyed or otherwise Xed to the shaft 34,

It will be seen that downward movement of the rack 46 resulting in counterclockwise rotation of they gear 41 merely causes the pawl 48 to move idly along the'surface of the ratchet wheel. However, upward movement of the rack 43, resulting in clockwise rotation of the gear 41, causes the paw] 48 to propel the ratchet 49 and with it the shaft 34 a predetermined distance Iand in timed relation with the movement of the cross heads I8 and I8a.

As shown in Fig. 1, the end of the shaft 34 adjacent the frame I0 hasa gear 5I secured thereto arranged to drive a pair of idler gears 52 and 53 which idler gears are in turn arranged to drive 'a gear 54 secured to the end of the shaft 35. By this means 35 shaft 35 and the chain sprockets 7 44 are driven counterclockwise as seen in Fig. 4,

simultaneously with the clockwiserotation of the shaft 34 and its associated sprockets 43.

The chains 4I and 42 at `their lower ends pass over a series of sprockets 55 and` 56 mounted, respectively, along the length of shafts 51 and 58. extending across the machine and rotatably mounted in the end frames. Each ofthe chains is provided at intervals with projections or lugs arranged in suitablespaced relation, the lugs 6l] cooperating on the two chains to engage the afssaazc v "bracket `83 operates the switch 84 thus initiating tationof the shafts 34 and 35. By this means.

it will be seen thatv periodically .during fthe operation of 'themachine,fandintimed relation with the movement of .the cross heads I8 and 18a, :the spring coils 'Share gripped between the feeding chains 4H and 42, and fedv 'downwardly thereby as shown .in Fig. 4.

As .alsowshown in Fig.

V4, .at one 'point alcngvthe i length of `the chains-as indicated uatdl, ne lugs the feeding ofthe springs will occur. pose of this will .be later described.

Spring positioning 'mechanism As thespring coils 3| are deliveredfrom` the lower ends of the vfeeding chains M and d2, they are delivered to mechanism which positions the `coils for engagement with a shuttle structure,

which shuttlestructure then 4delivers the springs to the stapling mechanism by which the springs are secured to and between the sisal pads.

` More specifically, referring tongs. l. .and 4, there is provided ,on `the machine at a .position substantially below the lower ends of `the chains 4I aid 42 a platform or .snbframe .as indicated at Il. .across the machine, betweenthe side. .frames ID .and ll andfis .lziorizontally` shifta'ble upon a pair of guide rods 65 and 66, .and a track .strucadapted to be driven .from a gear I4 which sis in `turn arranged to be driven fromthe driving gear of areversible electric motor as indicated at` '16.'v It will be seen that as themotor -16 -is 4operated in` one -direction or the other," the Aplatform or subframe 64 will `be correspondingly shifted to the rightor to ithe left `as seen "in Fig. 4 through its range of travel. VIn Figol the platform is show-n fat the end of its travel `to `the right. Y l l Means is provided for tion lof thev motor 16 in timed relation `with the movement of the rods I6 and il. `Rod 16 is provided with a pair of collars i8 and `T19 fixed there-` to, Fig. 2, and rod Il is'similarly'providedwith a pair of collars `81.1 and "BI `fixed'thereto, these collars serving Vto control the movements cfa cross head or cross bar 82 loosely journaled `on the rods I6 and I1 `for rslidable. movement with respect vthereto under ycontrol of the collars, for a purpose later tobe .descrihed` One of these This ,platform extends .substantially controlling the Vopera--` v or projections are provided so that a spacingin `control switch 85.

operation of the electric :motor 16, by suitable circuit connections, causing the slide 64 Ito shift to the 'left .or forwardly from its `normal` retracted position as shown in Fig. 4.L `When the slide lreachesthe end of :its travel the screw88 operatesthe limit switch 86 to `deenergizethe motorfandstop the slide. Upon continued operation of the machine, and after the rod l1 has moved downwardly through a major portionof its stroke of travel, the bracket ;83 operatesthe This energizes the motorlll in reverse to retract the slide 64, to therightas seen in Fig..4, and as the slide reaches its retracted position the screw 88 operates thelimit switch 8l' to deenergize the motor and stop the slide.' It will thus be seen that the slideor subframe 64 is advanced and retracted in `timed relation with the movement of the rods I6 and Il. 'Ihe shifting of the' slide 64 is employedfor feeding the spring coils :as they leave the `feeding chains 4l and 42, into position to be gripped by the shuttle structures of the machine, there being one shuttle as indicatedat 90, Fig. 4, for each of the ten parallel assembling ,units. *The shuttles Aare carriedby the cross bar ory beam and provided with gripping or operating arms 9| and 92 engageable with the spring coils.`

More specifically, as the spring coils El are ejected from the lower ends of the feeding chains 4I and 42, they` drop into horizontal trough structures provided by resilient plates 94 andl95, the structure of `which `will be best understood `by reference to Figs. 4 and l0. These plates are provided with resilient angularly disposed '.portions 96 and 8l forming a trough within `which the springs are supported with their. axes. horizontally disposed. The plates are supported upon a frame bar 98 extendlngacrcss themachine;

The slide 64 carriesa series of brackets 99y Figs.

`indicated in Fig. '4, with `the adjustable collar ,i163 secured `to the plunger mi] in abuttingjengagement with the bracket 99. In operation as the slide 64 is advanced to the left as shown in Fig. 4, the several pushing 'heads IDI engage the lspring coils which have been ejected from the feedingv chains, projecting them to `thewleft,along `the trough forming plates Sil` and 95. g

To limit the movement of thesprings a series oi 'abutment heads i655, Figl, is provided; one vfor :each of the parallel banks of themaohine. heads areshaped similarly to theheads ifi-'I to engage the ends ofthe spring coilswhile collars, viz., the collar carries a switch .operating arm `83 adapted. to actuate aV pair of con-- trol switches 'B4 and 85, Fig. `2, arranged along its path of travel. Another pair Vof control switches 86 and 81, Fig. 4, acting in the nature of "i providing clearancewit-h the trough structures `Siti :and lli'. This shaping will belbestunderstood by reference to Fig. `lil wherein` the --end` of the dread m5 is shown. Each. `of thelheads. m5 @is carried on the fern/ard end `of a plunger sleeve A `diishiftafblv mounted 1in a bracket ll. VA Vcompression spring m3 normally holds the head4 #H25 in 'its extended or advanced position as shown'd Fig; 4. The brackets itil yare"carriedupon-a'sta- ;tio-nary frame bar ills extending across'fthemachine. The abutment headsi limit the gmo'vement of the 'spring coils as they are advanced by the pushing heads I I.

As the spring coils 3| are ejected from the feeding chains into the trough plates 94 and 95, while they automatically assume a horizontal position therein, the end tie connections, as indicated at H2 in Fig. 10, with which such springs are conventionally provided, may be in any radial position. In order that the shuttle and lstapling structures shall be properly operable, it is desirable that the spring coils be rotatably indexed to bring these tie connections into predetermined radial position.

An indexing head is provided for each of the parallel banks of the machine, for effecting these rotatable indexing operations. More specifically, referring to Fig. 4, there is provided in association with each of the abutment heads an indexing cone as indicated at I|3 mounted onthe forward end of a shaft I I4 carried by and rotatably journaled in a bracket member ||5. The brackets I |5 for the several parallel banks of the machine are all mounted. upon a subframe or slide IIB generally similar in character to the slide |54 previously described.

yshaft ||9 may be conveniently operated'from a reversible electric motor |20 by means of gearing connections I 2|, |22 and |23. A pair of control switches |24 and |25, Fig. 2, adapted to be operated by an arm or bracket '|26 secured to the collar 18, and a pair of limit switches |21 and |28, Fig. 4, adapted for operation by a screw |29 carried by the slide I I6 are provided for controlling the slide movements.

In operation, the positioning of the control switch |24 is such that it is operated to energize motor I through suitable circuit connections to initiate the forward or advance movement of the slide IIS, to the right as seen in Fig. 4, shortly after operation of the control switch 94 for the slide 64, and substantially as the rods I6 and I1 reach their uppermost position. The forward or advance movement of the slide IIB is limited by the engagement of thel slide screw |29 with the limit switch |28 which deenergizes the motor |20. As the rod |6begins its downward movement, and after the spring coils have been indexed and just prior to the engagement of the coils by the shuttle arms 9| and 92, as will be later described, the bracket |26 operates the com trol switch to initiate reverse operation of the motor |20. The slide I|6 is thus retracted until shaft |32, Fig. 1, mounted on the slide II6 andV extending across the machine. At its end adjacent the side frame I I, the slide I IB carries a constantly operating electric motor |33, Fig. 4, which 'by means of the gearing |34 is adapted to operate the shaft |32. It will thus be seenv that the constantly operating motor |33, the shaft |32,

and the several bevel gears |3I, all of which are carried by the slide I IE, serve as means for maintaining the shafts II4 for the several parallel banks in constant rotation. lAs the slide ||6 is advanced, the indexing cones I| 3 engage the convolutions of the spring coils, as indicated in Fig. 6, whereby to effect their indexing rotation.

In order to arrest the rotation of the springs in proper indexed position, each of the indexing heads in addition to vthe rotating cone 3 also includes a stationary indexing pin |36, Figs.` 1, 4 and 10' carried by the bracket ||5, operable to engage the adjacent tie connection ||2 to arrest the rotation of the spring in a predetermined radial position.` The action will be best understood by a -comparison of Figs. 10 and 11. It will be seen that as the spring coil 3| is engaged by kthe rotating cone and rotated in a clockwise direction as seen in Figs. 10 and 11, the tie connectionV I I2 regardless of its radial disposition will be brought' into engagement with the indexing pin |36 as shown in Fig. 11, the spring thus being radially indexed in the proper position.

Shuttle structure and sprinlg assembling mechanism Upon downward movement of the rods I6 and I1, and immediately after withdrawal of the indexing cones I |3 and the indexing pins |30, the arms 9| and 92 of the shuttles are brought into engagement with the springs to effect the downward feeding and positioning thereof in proper.

position for operation of the stapling mechanisms. The `manner in which the shuttle arms grip the springs will be best understood from Figs. 12 and 13, and also from the sequential illustran tive views, Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive.

The shuttle arms 9| and 92 are provided with pointed ends |40, as indicated in Figs. 12 and 13. The shuttle arms are also provided with spring coil positioning shoulders or abutment portions l I4| ofvcurved shape conforming to the curvature of the spring end convolutions, and with arcuate recesses or depressions |42 cooperable with the stapling mechanisms in a manner presently to be'described. In operation, the pushing heads I 0|, when in advanced position, and the abutment heads |05, hold the spring coils 3| therebetween, as shown in Figs. 6 and '1, so that as the shuttle arms descend they engage and grip the coil convolutions as illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13. Preferably the shuttle arms are so spacedr as to impart a slight elongation or tension to the spring coils as they are gripped, whereby to firmly hold them in position. The resilient mounting of the pushing vand abutment heads |0| and |05 permit these heads to separate slightly against the compression of springs |02 and I 08 to accommodate the downward movement of the shuttle arms. As the arms continue to descend, as shown in Fig. 8, the positioning shoulders I 4| thereof are brought into engagement with the upper portions of the coil convolutions after which upon continued downward movement of the shut- .tle arms theimpaled spring coil moves downward- 1y as a unit therewith. As the shoulders 4I of the arms force the spring downwardly, the resilient portions 96 and 91 of thetrough plates 94 and 95 yield to accommodate such movement, see Fig.

12. As best shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the arrangement is such that when the upper portions of the spring coil are in engagement with the shoulders |4I, the lower portions thereof are alined with the arcuate recesses |42 of the shuttle arms.

Two supply rolls as indicated at I 45 and |46, Fig. 1, are provided for continuous sheets of sisal or the like, these rolls being mounted upon shafts |41 and |48 carried by suitable support brackets. Adjustable friction mechanisms, as indicated at MS', may be associated` with the shaftsf|41 and |48. for imparting predetermined frictionai resistance to the withdrawal of the sisal sheets from the rolls. The two sisalsheets indicated, respecthence downwardly` in' parallel spaced relation to receive the spring coils therebetween, i

The cross head or bar s2, Fig. 2, which isiooseiy mountedon the rods |.6 and-H', rotatably carries i a pair of shafts |55 and |56 extending acrossvthe machine, these shafts being journaled at their opposite ends in a similar cross bar 82a1 loosely mounted on the rods |6a and |1a. It willbe understood that `the rods at lboth ends ofV the machine carzy collars such as indicated at 18,. 19, 80 and 8|', Fig. 2, for controlling. the shifting of the two shiftably mounted cross bars. 82 and 82a, whereby to maintainv the shafts.. |55 and |56 horizontally disposed at all times. Collars 19a. and Bla, correspondingrespectively,V to collars 19: and 8|, are shown in Fig. 4. At their ends adjacent the side frame shafts |55 and |56 havexed thereto` a` pair of arms |541 and |58, Fig. 4, these arms beingadapted` to be brought into engagement with a surface |59 ofthe frame when the shiftable cross heads 82 and 82a, with their shafts |551 and |55 are moved to their lowermost position. This engagement electsan upward pivotal movement of the arms |51 and` |58-,resulting in a counterclockwise movement of the 'shaft |55 and a corresponding clockwise. movement of the shaft |56". A chain |60` is connected between the. ends of the arms |51 and |58andthe frame portion |59 to effect a downward pulling of the arms as the shiftable cross `heads 82and 82a andthe. shafts |55 and |56 are moved to their uppermost position.

shafts |55 and lss also have keyedtnereto at intervals along their length a series of hooks IGI and |62, Figs. l, 2 and 4, the ends of whichare adaptedto pierce and grip the sisal' sheets as the shaft |55 is pivoted clockwise andthe shaft |56 pivoted counterclockwise. It' will be seen that as the cross heads 82k and 82a` are moved to their uppermost position, the chain |60 operates the arms |51 and;V |58 to bring the hooks into gripping engagement with theV sisal, whereas as the cross heads are moved to their lowermost position, the arms |51l and |50 engage the frame portion |59 todisengage thehooks.

A plurality of stapling devices generally'indicated by the numerals |65- and |66, Figs. 1 and 41, are provided, there being twoopposed stapling devices foreach of the ten` machine banks. These stapling devices may be of any `suitable conventional structure and as illustrated comprise sta'- i pling heads- |611 projecting 'intoj juxtaposition to pling devices |66. Similarly the drive motor |12 is arranged by] means of gearing connections |11,

' `Fig. 2, to effect the operation' of a `drive shaft |118: extending across the machine and provided with spaced cam fmechanisms |19, Fig.` 4, for driving the respective stapling` devices |65.

As is. conventional. in stapling devices of the character described, they are providedwith single operation clutch mechanisms as indicated at |80 and |8|,Fig; 4. These clutches are adapted to be operated. by -theshiftablecross head 82, Fig. 2,.in\ timed relation tov the. movements thereof. More specifically, the cross head 82 is providedwith a pair of oppositely extending projections as. indicated at |82. and |83. The projection |82; when the cross head 82 reaches its lower limit of travel, is adapted to operate a lever |84 connected to aV shaft |85 extending across the` machine.. ,ThisY shaft isprovided at spaced intervals with a series4 of arms |86, one for each of lthe `ten stapling. mechanisms, which arms: are

, is: adapted to operate a lever |90, Fig. 2', connected tol ashaft' |9| extending across the machine on the oppositewside of the cross head 82, this shaftbeing providediwith spaced arms` |92 connected, respectively, to links |93 arranged for operation.I of the respective clutch mechanisms |8ilaof thestapling devices |65. It will be seen that by means of the structures thus provided,

4the power cam mechanisms |116 and |19 of the two.` setsA of. stapling` devices. are constantly driven by the mtors i152` and |112. When the shiftable cross head 82 reaches its lowermost extent of travel, the levers |84` andi` |901 are operatedcausing actuation of theV clutchestlll and |801l to cause the cam driving mechanisms to impart al single cycle: of operation tot the stapling devices after which: the. clutches are automatically disconnected, as.- is conventional in stapling` devicesl of` this character. The stapl-ing wire is supplied to the.r stapling. devices from a. series of supply rolls |96, Fig. 4, and to the stapling devices |266 from a series of supply rolls |91, Figs. l and 4. The wireis. drawn from` the supply rolls |96 over a series of' idler rolls |98,` and from. the supply rolls |91' over a series ofv idler rolls |99 automatiy cally by the operation of.` the stapling` devices, as 4will be understood.

i In operation, as theI rods` t6 and .|,1 approach their uppermost position, the collars 19 and 8| thereon. engage the` lower` surface of the slidable cross. headt 82: to. effectA the` upward movement of the. crossY head with the rods.` ,Similarly and simultaneously therewith thecollars 19a. and 8|a ofthe, rods. [6a. and |1a. effect the upward shifting. of the slidable.- cross head 82a. This effects `an. upwardshifting. of the shafts |55 and |56 so that as. the. slidable, cross.` heads reach their uppermost position the-,chain |60 operates to pivot `the hooks. |'6.|. and |62 into' grippingV engagement `with the. sisal pads, as shown in Fig.` 4. As the rods I6", |1 and |6a, |111. begin their downward movement, theslidable cross heads 82 and` 82a d'o not initially'` move, downward therewith, due

to the slidable connections provided between the rods and the cross heads, and further due to the frictional resistance toi movement of the sisal pads, holding the hooks |6| and |62 and the associa-ted sl'idable crossV heads in uppermost position; However, simultaneously' as the shuttle arms 9| and 92 have moved downwardly a sufci'ent distance to cause-the impaled spring to en` gage theL shoulders |-'4| on the arms,I the collars 1f8E andI 001, Fig. 2', ony the rods I6: and |1, and the corresponding collars onthe rods lzz` and |1'a 75 engageA the upper surfaces of the slidable cross ing thereof withthe rods. This time in thecycle. of operations is indicated iriFig. 8. Accordingly, on continued downward movementof the shuttle arms, the Ihooks |6| and |62, .and'resultingly the sisal pads and `the previously assembled spring structures move downwardly as a unit therewith until the structures have reached their lowermost` position, asshown in Figs. 9 and 13, wherein the'juxtaposed portions of the adjacent springs coils to be assembled are in alinement with .the lstapling heads |61. tweenthe shoulders I4| and the arcuate recesses |42 of the shuttle arms is such that as the upper portion of the newly presented spring, as indicated at3|a in Fig.v 13, is engaged by the shoulders lill, the lower portion of this spring is brought vinto juxtaposition with the upper por-n tion of thepreviously assembled spring, as indicated at 3|b, at. the arcuate recesses |42. During the downward movement of the shiftable cross heads, the two juxtaposed springs move downwardly as a unit, ultimately reaching theA position of Fig. s).l At this position the projections |82 and |83 of the slidable cross head 82 effect the operation of the stapling devices, and the levers |51and |58 areengaged by the frame bracket |59 to effect disengagement of the hooks |6| and |62. The action of the stapling heads is specifically indicated in Fig. 13, It will be seen that the staples as shown at and 202 are projected by the stapling heads through the sisal pads around the juxtaposed portions of the spring coils, being clinched by the arcuate recesses |42 of the shuttle arms Upon the upward movement of the rods |6, |1 and |6a, ,|1a, the slidable cross heads 82 and 82a will not shift upwardly until engaged by the rod collars 19, 8| and 19a, 8|a, after the rods have shifted upwardly a substantialy distance of their travel.

vSeverino means In accordance with the principles of the invention, as hereinbefore pointed out, the feeding of springs is omitted at predetermined spaced intervals ldue to the absence of feeding lugs on the feeding chains 4| and 42 at the station indicated at 6|. Accordingly at predetermined spaced intervals there will be a spacing between the connected spring coils, for example, as indicated at 205 in Fig. 4. The sisal pads may be out at such The spacing bepoints thereby effecting the production of indi- Operation The operation of the various mechanisms has been heretofore setVY forth, but may be further summarized as follows:

During operation of" the machine the rods I6, |1 and la, |1a are continuously reciprocated through their driving connectionsfrom the main power belt 28. Fig. 1. During the upwardmovement of the rods the rack 46 and pawl and heads zand 82a causing thedownward shiftratchet mechanism 48, 49, Figs. 1 and 3,operate to effect rotation of the shafts 34 and 35 thereby ,effecting the operation of the feeding chains 4| i and 42. Prior tothe time the rods reach their uppermost position, each set of feeding chains has operated sufficiently to eject a spring coil 8| into position between the trough plates 94, 95, and also to withdraw a new spring from between the plates 32 and 33 to whiohthe springs are continuously supplied from the supply hoppers or chutes 30. f

As the rods I6, |1 and l6a, |1a are approaching their uppermost position, the switch bracket 83, Fig. 2, operates the control switch 84 to ad- Vance the slide 64, thereby causing the pushing heads |0| to be advanced, to the left as seen in Fig. 4, thereby advancing the spring coils ejected from thefeeding chains into engagement with the abutment heads |05 andv positioned thereby as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Just as the rods |6, I1 and |6a, |1a, reach their uppermost position, and after the springs have been advanced by the pushing heads, lthe switch bracket |26, Fig. 2, operates the control switch |24 to advance the slide [6 carrying the indexing heads. These heads comprising the constantly rotating friction cones ||3 and the xed indexing pins |36 effect the rota-tional indexing of the springs for proper engagement by the shuttle arms.

As the rods I6, |1 and |6a, |1a begin their downward movement, the bracket |26 operates the control switch |25 to withdraw the slide ||6 and the indexing heads from the position shown in Fig. 6 to the position of Fig. 7. Immediately thereafter the spring coils are engaged by and impaled upon the shuttle arms 9| and 92, and as the springs reach the i arm shoulders |4| they are forced downwardly with the arms between the plate portions 96 and 91, Fig.'10. Just as the newly presented springs have been shifted downwardly sufficiently to come into juxtaposition with the previously assembled spring, as shown in Fig. 8, the slidable cross heads 82 and 82a are caused to move downwardly with the rods |6, |1 and |6a, |1a by the engagement of the operating collars such as indicated at 13 and 80, Fig. 2. This causes a downward movement of the hooks |6| and |62, and the sisal pads therewith. these hooks having been engaged with the sisal, 'through the action of the chain |60, as the slidable cross heads 82 andV 82a were propelled to their uppermost position.

The sisal pads, previously assembled spring coils, and newlyv presented spring coils now move downwardly as a unit until the parts reach the position of Fig. 9, ywherein vthe contacting portions of the spring coils to be assembled are in lalinement with the stapling heads |61. Also during this downward movement the switch bracket 03, Fig. 2, operates the control switch 85 to withdraw the pushing heads |0| so that they may subsequently repeat their cycle of operation.

As the rods` I6, I1 and |6a, 11ak reach their lowermost position, as shown in Fig. 9, the projections |82 andY |83, Fig. 2, of the slidable cross head 82 effect the operation of the stapling devices in a manner illustrated vin Fig. 13 to effect a stapling of the spring coils together and to the sisal pads. Also, as the parts reach this position the frame bracket |59 operates the levers |51 and |58 to withdraw the hooks 16| and |62 from the sisal pads. As the rods I6, I1 and .|6a, |1a move upwardly, the slidable cross heads 82 end coils of adjacent springs and thereby connecting the springs to the paddings.

10. In apparatus for progressively and automatically producing springunits, means for delivering continuous strips of padding for the top and bottom of the units, a plurality of lines of feeding devices for springs, a shuttle for each line of springs, said shuttles'picking up said springs and carrying them into position between the strips of padding, a continuously reciprocating means for actuating said shuttles, means operating during a part only of the stroke of said reciprocating means for advancing the previously completed portions of the spring units a predetermined extent, and stapling means operating during the idle period of saidv advancing means for advancing staples for joining the springs to each' other and to the padding.

11. Apparatus for making spring units formattresses, cushions, or the like which comprises means for guiding a pair of elongated sheets of non-metallic iibrous vmaterial in predetermined spaced relation, a plurality of cyclically operable members for inserting coil springs into a plurality of rows between .said sheets whereby to provide parallel rows of springs between the sheets with the individual spring axes perpendicular to the planes of the sheets, and stapling means for projecting staples through the sheets and around the juxtaposed ends of adjacent springs in said rows whereby to secure the springs together and to the sheets to provide the spring unit structures.

12. Apparatus for making spring units for mattresses, cushions, or the like which comprises means for feeding a pair of elongated sheets of non-metallic fibrous material in predetermined spaced relation, a cyclically operable member for inserting coil springs in alined sequence between said sheets whereby to provide a row of springs between the sheets with their individual axes perpendicular to the planes of the sheets, means for feeding springs to said member, stapling means for projecting staples through the sheets and around the juxtaposed' ends of the springs whereby to secure the springs to the sheets and to each other, and means for feeding the sheets and the springs as a unit to the stapling means.

13. Apparatus for making spring uni-ts for mattresses, cushions, or the like which comprises means for guiding arpair of elongated sheets of r the ends f adjacent springs whereby to secure `the springs together and to the sheets.

14. Apparatus for making spring units for mattresses, cushions, or the like comprising a supply source for springs, a securing statiomfeeding means for successively feeding springs from the supply source to the securing station'` in predetermined sequential relation,` means at the securing station for holdingthe springs in predeter-v minedposition andworguidingth'e springs after securing from Asaid statiorifs'ecuring means-operable at the lsecuring 'station for stapling the springs A'to' each other to' form the springs into an alined series, .and control means for controlling the operation of the securing means in predetermined timed relation with the operation of the feeding means. Y

15. .Apparatus for making spring units for mattresses, cushions, or the like comprising a supply source. for coil springs, a securing station, feeding means for feeding springs from the supply source to the securing station in predetermined sequential relation, indexing means associated with the feeding means for .rotatably indexing the springs into predetermined angular position, means` at the securing station for h'olding the springs in .predetermined position and for guiding the springs after vsecuring from said station, securing means operable at the securing station for securing the springs in predetermined alignment to form the springs into an alined series, and control means for controlling the operation of the securing means in predetermined timed relation with the operation of the feeding means.

o 16. Apparatus for making spring units for mattresses, cushions, or` the like comprising a supply source for coil springs, .a securing station, feeding means for feeding springs from the supply source to the securing station in predetermined sequential relation, indexing means associated with the feeding means for rotatably indexing the springs into predetermined angular position, said indexing means comprising a rotatable member engageable with a spring for rotating it on its axis, and an abutment for arresting rotation of the spring in the desired angular position, means at the securing station for holding the springs in predetermined position and for guidingthe springs after securing from said station, rsecuring, means operable at the securing station for securing the springs in predetermined alignment to form the springs into an alined series, and control means for controlling tlie operation of the securing means in predetermined timed relation with the operation of the feeding means.

17. Apparatus for making spring units for mattresses, cushions, or the like comprising a supply source for springs, a securing station, feeding means for successively feeding springs from the supply source to the securing station in predetermined sequential relation, cyclically operable control means for controlling the operation of the feeding means to omit the feeding of the springs at predetermined intervals, means at the securing station for holding the springs in predetermined position and for guiding the springs rafter securing from said station, securing means operable at the securing station for stapling the springs together to form them into an alined series, and control means for controlling the operation of the securing' means in predetermined timed relation with the operation of the feeding means. l

18.? Apparatus for making spring units for mattresses, cushions, or the like comprising a supply source for coil springs, a securing station, feeding means for successively feeding springs from the supply source to the securing station in predetermined sequential relation, said feeding means comprising an inclinedy trough along which the springs are adapted to be propelled in end to end relationship and a pair of feeding bands adapted to grip opposite spring end portions for receiving the springs from the trough, means at the securing station for holding the springs in predetermined position and for guiding the springs after securing from said station,

. securing means operable at the securing station for securing the springs relative to each other to form the springs into a fixed alined series, and

lation with the operation, of the feeding means.

19. Apparatus for making spring units for mattresses, cushions, or the like comprising a supply source for coil springs, a securing station, feeding means for feeding springs from the supply source to the securing station in predetermined sequential relation, means at the securing station for holding the springs in predetermined position and for guiding the springs after securing yfrom said station, securing means operable at the seeming station for securing the springs together to form them into an alined series, said seeming means comprising a staple projecting member adapted to project a staple around the end -coils of adjacent springs to connect them together, and an anvil member adapted to be inserted intov the spring coils to elect the crimping of the staple, and control means for control-` ling the operation of the securing means in predetermined` timed relation with the operation of the feeding means.

20. Apparatus for making spring units for mattresses, cushions, or the like comprising a supply source for springs, a securing station, feeding means for successivelyfeeding springs from the supply source tothe securing station in predetermined sequential relation, feedingmeans for feeding an elongated strip of sheet material to the securing station, securing means operable at the securing station for stapling thesprings to relation, said feeding means comprising mechanisms operable to simultaneously propel corresponding springs in each of said .alined series,

means at the securing station forholding theV springs in predetermined position and for guiding the springs after securing from said station, securing means operable atthe securing station for securing the springs to each other to form the springs into fixed alinement, and control means for controlling the operation of the securing `means in predetermined timed relation with the operation of the feeding means. l

22. Apparatus for making spring units for mattresses, cushions, or the like which comprises means for progressively feeding a plurality of series of springs in alinement, means for progressively applying elongated non-metallic sheet material to said plurality of series of springs, said sheet material having a width at least as great as the width of said plurality of alined spring series, and means for stapling the springs to the.

`dexing means for rotatably indexing the springs the sheet material and to each other into an alined series, and control means for controlling 'the operation of the securing means in predeter-` mined timed relation With the operation of the feeding means.

means for successively feeding springs in a plurality of alined series from the supply source to the securing station in predetermined sequential into predetermined angular position, feeding means comprising a pair of reciprocable members adapted to feed the springs successively from the indexing means to the securing station, said anvil members being adapted to project into the coils of the springs, means at the securing station for holding the springs in predetermined i pling mechanisms in predetermined timed rela` tion FREDERICK G. HODGES, JR, 

